Asclepias incarnata

Sizes available: #1 (Trade gallon)

Basics: zones 3-8, 36-48" x 12", full to part sun, a light to dark pink, sometimes white flower in summer, although this milkweed prefers a rich, muddy soil in full sun and is clay tolerant, it can adapt to standard garden soils with consistent moisture. Not picky as to soil type as long as it's moist. Late to emerge in spring

Common names: Swamp Milkweed, Rose Milkweed, Rose Milkflower, Swamp Silkweed, Marsh Milkweed

Family: Apocynaceae

Origin/Distribution: eastern and central North America, native to Maine

Habitat: Our wild-growing A. incarnata is found on sunny, wet edges such as along streams, rivers, ponds and lakes, also found in swampy low places, wet ditches, and flood plains. 

More: This deer resistant, tall perennial is not resistant to aphids. Just give in and plant a lot of it anyway. The lady bugs and other aphid lovers will flock to the buffet you have provided. And speaking of buffets, milkweeds support not only Monarch Butterflies (Danaus plexippus) as a larval host plant and a nectar source, they also do the same for the Milkweed Tiger Moth and the Tussock Moth. This means planting a single specimen in your garden isn't really helping anyone at all, including the milkweed itself which is a poor vegetative competitor and should be planted in a large group. Large groupings of the same nectar and host plant also help the species that we are trying to support because they don't have to spend a lot of energy hunting around for single specimens of their associated flora. The visiting hummingbirds and numerous other pollinators will also appreciate a nice swathe of milkweed. Swamp milkweed makes a good cut flower. The shoots, leaves and seedpods are edible if prepared properly and toxic if not. It has also been used medicinally.

Nursery: Van Berkum

Photo credits: Wikimedia Commons